Joe Deegan, program coordinator for the Office of Service Learning, and Carrollton Hall resident chaplain, is taking baby steps to get back to living a normal life.
On Oct. 29, Deegan was hit by a pickup truck as he was riding his motorcycle. Deegan came to Loyola as an employee for AmeriCorps, but was stationed at Loyola.
“I was on my way to a meeting on the West Bank, to establish a new relationship with a community partner for the Office of Service Learning,” Deegan said. “My motorcycle was my means of transportation, and as I was going on Claiborne Avenue, I got hit.”
The police ruled that no one was at fault. This decision, however, did not put an end to the situation. Deegan had to begin an extensive rehab program, and make some big decisions about his future.
“I was in the hospital for about 18 days, broke my leg in two places, broke my hip and left elbow,” Deegan said. “After that, things got sort of iffy. I didn’t know if I would stay in the city.”
Deegan found himself in state of limbo after AmeriCorps decided to terminate his contract with them Nov. 29, and then rehired him Jan. 13. Loyola, however, allowed Deegan to continue in his position without interruption.
Deegan is now faced with medical bills totaling over $130,000.
“I had to get a metal rod in my leg, I had to get an implant on my hip and elbow,” he said. “So the surgeries along with me being in the hospital for a while contributed to that bill.”
He believes he will not be alone in paying these bills. He said that now lawyers on both sides are determining who will be responsible for them. A Loyola Law alum is helping Deegan with these issues free of charge.
“Whether it’s my health insurance, because AmeriCorps Vista Volunteers gets health benefits,” he said in reference to who will end up footing the bill. “But, I’m also covered by Workers’ Comp., because it was a work-related injury.”
Deegan is slowly working to be able to walk; however, it will take some time.
“I had to be in a wheelchair for about 12 weeks; now I have this sweet walker, and I’ll have it until my legs are strong enough to walk unassisted.”
He said the Loyola community has been very supportive, especially Mission and Ministry, Residential Life and the Office of Service Learning.
Deegan added that at one point, his mother moved in with him in his Carrollton apartment to help him in his recovery.
“The university has been the best support network ever,” he said. “And I tend to be a pessimistic guy, even before the accident, but just having the Loyola community there to keep me motivated and keep me on track was an amazing thing.”
Deegan is anxious to fully recover, but not to ride his motorcycle.
“My opinion of the bike has changed a lot,” he said. “I was faced with my own vulnerabilities as a human and I now realize that there are forces beyond your control that are at play.”
Eduardo Gonzalez can be reached at
